Opening system

ABSTRACT

A latch release for allowing two latched members to be unlatched from each other. The latch release includes a bubble body comprised of an elastic material. The bubble body is adapted to deform such that depressing of a first section of the bubble body in a first direction deforms a second section of the bubble body to push the latched members apart.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a system for moving two members apart and, more particularly, to a portable electronic device having an opening system.

2. Brief Description of Prior Developments

Flip-phones, such as having a general clam shell design, are well known. These types of telephones have two housing members that are pivotably connected to each other. A communicator device, such as the NOKIA Model 9200 series of devices, also have keyboards and a locking latch to prevent the housing members from inadvertently opening. Slide mobile telephones, where one housing member slides upward or downward, are also known to have housing position retaining latches. In the past, locking mechanisms have been usually quite complicated systems, and unreliable due to miniaturization. There is no room for further miniaturization because of dimensional limitations.

There is a desire to provide a mobile telephone with movable housing members and a housing position retaining latch, but without the number of parts required in the past for such a latch. There is a desire to provide such a latch and a release that is easier and less expensive to manufacture, and which is less prone to mechanical failure. There is a desire to provide such a latch and a release which can accommodate miniaturization with providing good reliability. There is also a desire to provide such a latch and a release which can accommodate reduced dimensional limitations resulting from mobile telephone miniaturization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a latch release is provided for allowing two latched members to be unlatched from each other. The latch release includes a bubble body comprised of an elastic material. The bubble body is adapted to deform such that depressing of a first section of the bubble body in a first direction deforms a second section of the bubble body to push the latched members apart.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a portable electronic device is provided comprising a first housing comprising electronic circuitry; a second housing movably connected to the first housing; a system for locating the second housing relative to the first housing at a closed position; and an opening system for moving the second housing from the closed position. The opening system comprises at least one body of resiliently deformable material at a lateral side of the first housing. The body is adapted to be inwardly deformed by a user's finger in a first direction to automatically bubble deform in a second direction and thereby move the second housing away from the closed position.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a portable electronic device is provided comprising movably connecting a second housing to a first housing; providing a system for locating the second housing at a closed position on the first housing; and connecting a first resiliently deformable bubble body to the first housing. The bubble body comprises a first section which is adapted to be depressed inward causing a second section of the bubble body to automatically bubble outward to thereby move the second housing in a direction away from the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile telephone comprising features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the telephone shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front plane view of the telephone shown in FIG. 3 being held in the hand of a user;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a component of the an opening system used in the telephone of FIGS. 1-3 shown in a home state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the component of FIG. 4 shown in an actuated state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the telephone as shown in FIG. 1 with the opening system actuated; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of the telephone shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a portable electronic device 10 incorporating features of the invention. Although the invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.

In this embodiment the portable electronic device 10 is a mobile telephone. More specifically, the telephone has a flip-phone type of design. However, features of the invention could be used with any type of telephone having housing members which are movable relative to each other, such as a slide phone for example. In addition, features of the invention could be used in any type of portable electronic device having housing members which are movable relative to each other, such as a gaming device, a PDA, etc.

The telephone 10 generally comprises a housing 12 having a first housing member 14 and a second housing member 16. Referring also to FIGS. 2-3, the first and second housing members 14, 16 are pivotably connected to each other by a hinge 18 between a closed position as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and an open position. In this embodiment the hinge 18 is a living hinge. However, in alternate embodiments the hinge could comprise any suitable type of pivotable connection. As noted above, features of the invention could be used with a slide phone. Therefore, the connection of the housing members to each other might not be a pivotable connection. The hinge 18 connects the top ends 20, 22 of the housing members to each other.

In this embodiment the first housing member 14 generally comprises electronic circuitry 36, a battery, and a keypad. The second housing member 16 generally comprises a display. When the first and second housing members are in their closed position, the display is protectively covered by the first housing member 14 and the keypad is protectively covered by the second housing member 16.

In order to use most features of the telephone, the second housing member 16 must be unlatched from the first housing member 14 and moved to its open position. This uncovers the display and the keypad. In this embodiment the telephone has springs 23 which are adapted to bias the housing members 14, 16 towards the open position. However, any suitable system for biasing the housing members towards an open position could be provided. Alternatively, a system for biasing the housing members towards an open position might not be provided.

The telephone 10 also comprises a latch system 24 for latching the first and second housing members at the closed position. In this embodiment the latch system comprises a permanent magnet 26 in the first housing member 14 and a suitable magnetically latchable ferromagnetic member 28 in the second housing member 16. The magnet 26 and latchable member 28 are located proximate top and bottom sides 30, 62, respectively, of the bottom ends 32, 34 of the housing members 14, 16. The magnet 26 and the latchable member 28 function as a latch to retain the second housing member 16 against the top side 30 of the first housing member 14 at the closed position. In an alternate embodiment, the latching system to retain the first and second housings in their closed position could comprise any suitable type of latching system including, for example, a resilient latching snap or other mechanical design. Thus, the type of latch is not limited to merely a magnetic latch.

In order to overcome the latching system 24 and move the second housing member 16 from the closed position, the telephone 10 comprises a latch release or opening system 38. With the magnetic latch system in this embodiment, the latchable member 28 need only to be moved away from the magnet 26 a relatively small amount to substantially overcome the magnetic holding force of the magnet. Referring also to FIG. 4, in this embodiment the opening system 38 comprises two bodies 40. However, in alternate embodiments more or less than two bodies could be provided. The first housing member 14 comprises two cavities 42, 44 located at opposite lateral sides 46, 48 of the first housing member. The bodies 40 are mounted in the respective cavities 42, 44.

The bodies 40 are identical, but could be different. Each body 40 has a general block shape. However, in alternate embodiments any suitable shape could be provided. In this embodiment the block shape is generally rectangular. Each body is comprised of an elastic material such that the bodies form resiliently deformable structures. More specifically, and referring also to FIG. 5, each body 40 forms a bubble body or bubble mass which is adapted to have a first side 50 depressed inward as shown by arrow 54 which automatically resulting in a second side 52 bubbling outward as shown by arrow 56 and resulting in a mound 58 being formed.

When the bodies 40 are mounted to the first housing member 14, they are located in the cavities 42, 44 such that each first side 50 is at the lateral sides 46, 48 respectively, and that each second side 52 is located at the front or top side 60 of the first housing member 14. In this embodiment the first and second sides 50, 52 are substantially flat in a home state. However, they could have contoured or shaped surfaces. When the second housing member 16 is located at the closed position, the first sides 50 are exposed at the lateral sides 46, 48. The second sides 52 are directly opposite the inner facing side 62 of the second housing member 16. The rest of the sides of the bodies 40 are contacted and supported by the first housing member 14. The surfaces of the first housing member 14 contacting the bodies 40 are rigid, such that the rest of the sides of the bodies are prevented from bulging outward when the first side 50 is depressed inward. Thus, when the first side 50 is depressed inward, only the second top side 52 is able to bulge or bubble outward. Alternatively, the thickness of the wall at the second side 52, such as in a balloon style configuration of the body 40 described in further detail below, could be thinner than the other walls of the body.

As seen with reference to FIG. 3, when the telephone 10 is in its closed position, it can be held in the hand of a user with the user's thumb 64 and one other finger 66 located on the first sides 50 of the two bodies 40. By squeezing the two fingers inward as shown by arrows 68, the user can depress the first sides 50 inward with a single hand. As seen with reference to FIG. 5, this will result in the second side 52 of each body 40 bulging or bubbling upward. Referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7, because the second side 52 is located against the side 62 of the second housing member 16, the resulting mounds 58 push the second housing member 16 away from the closed position as indicated by arrow 70. This moves the second housing 16 relative to the first housing 14 to unlatch the latching engagement of the latching system 24. Because of the different distances from the hinge 18 of the mounds 58 and the latchable member 28, the relatively small height of the mounds 58 result in much a larger resultant spacing distance 74 of the latchable member 28 away from the magnet 26. With the latching system 24 unlatched, the springs 23 can bias the second housing member 16 further towards the open position. In this embodiment, the leaf springs 23 are adapted to slide into the first housing member 14 as indicated by arrow 72 as the housing opens to its open position.

Once the initial latching force of the latching system is overcome by the opening system 38, the user can reduce the force exerted by his or her fingers 64, 66. The user no longer needs to depress the first side 50 of the bodies 40 inward after the latch system 24 is initially overcome. The bodies 40 can return to their home states as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the user can close the telephone again without the bodies 40 interfering with the latchable member 28 engaging the magnet 26.

As noted above, each body 40 is comprised of an elastic material. The material could be substantially solid. Alternatively, the material could have a generally honeycombed construction with internal pockets. In another alternate embodiment the body could comprise a balloon construction with an internal sealed area filled with gas, such as air. More than one internal sealed area or pocket filled with gas could be provided. In another alternate embodiment the body could comprise one or more internal sealed liquid filled pockets. These are only some examples. The important aspect is a body or mass which functions as a bubble body which can bubble or bulge in one location when depressed inward at another location. The ratio of bubbling or bulging to depression by a user is preferably 1:1, but could be more or less.

This invention describes how to use elastic material in a latching mechanism of an auto-open folding device. The invention can use deformation of an elastic part to release the locking mechanism. The device could be locked with a magnet or snaps for example. Elastic parts can be placed to sides and between the bottom and top housing members. The locking mechanism will be unlocked by elastic deformation when pressing the elastic part. Deformation of the elastic part will push the blocks apart.

Advantages include:

-   -   A simple design requiring only a bubble body and a pocket on the         first housing member;     -   The design enables ergonomic one-hand use of a very slim folding         device, and also enables the same use by either a right hand or         a left hand to accommodate both left and right handed users         equally;     -   Cost effectiveness is provided because of the simplicity of the         design;     -   There is a reduction in the amount of parts which are needed         versus a convention design;     -   The design reduces manufacturing costs because it is relatively         easy to manufacture the bubble bodies in bulk and very easy to         assemble them into a housing cavity;     -   The invention enables new themes for industrial design; and     -   The invention provides reliable because, among other features,         there will be no dust problems or the like which can result from         conventional mechanical parts in a latch/release system.

Features of the invention could be used as a latch release for a latch system which holds housing members at an open position rather than at a closed position. The body 40 could be located at a location other than a lateral side of the first housing member. For use with a slide phone for example, the second side of the bubble body could push towards the top or bottom end of the telephone rather than towards a major face of the second housing member. The generally rectangular shape of the bubble body could be replaced by any suitable shape including, for example, a shape with a larger first side and smaller second side, or a shape with merely a shaped or patterned second side. The orthogonal relationship of the depression 54 to the bulging 56 could be replaced by a non-orthogonal relationship. The body 40 could work in cooperation with another member to open the telephone or for performing some other action.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A latch release for allowing two latched members to be unlatched from each other, the latch release comprising a bubble body comprised of an elastic material, wherein the bubble body is adapted to deform such that depressing of a first section of the bubble body in a first direction deforms a second section of the bubble body to push the latched members apart.
 2. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body comprises a general block shape of the elastic material.
 3. A latch release as in claim 2 wherein the general block shape is generally rectangular.
 4. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body is substantially solid.
 5. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body is generally honeycombed with internal pockets.
 6. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body comprises at least one internal sealed gas filled pocket.
 7. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body comprises at least one internal sealed liquid filled pocket.
 8. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body has a top side which forms the second section and which is adapted to bubble up generally orthogonal to the first direction.
 9. A portable electronic device comprising: a first housing comprising electronic circuitry; a second housing movably connected to the first housing; a system for locating the second housing relative to the first housing at a closed position; and a latch release as in claim 1, wherein the bubble body is connected to the first housing and the second section of the bubble body is adapted to push against the second housing when the first section is depressed inward.
 10. A portable electronic device comprising: a first housing comprising electronic circuitry; a second housing movably connected to the first housing; a system for locating the second housing relative to the first housing at a closed position; and an opening system for moving the second housing from the closed position, wherein the opening system comprises at least one body of resiliently deformable material at a lateral side of the first housing, wherein the body is adapted to be inwardly deformed by a user's finger in a first direction to automatically bubble deform in a second direction and thereby move the second housing away from the closed position.
 11. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the portable electronic device comprises a mobile telephone and the second housing is pivotably connected to the first housing in a general flip-phone configuration.
 12. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the opening system comprises two of the bodies located at opposite lateral sides of the first housing.
 13. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the first housing supports all sides of the body except a first side and a second side of the body to thereby from supports for the body and limit deformation of the body to the first and second sides.
 14. A portable electronic device as in claim 13 wherein the first side is adapted to be deformed inward in the first direction by the user's finger, and the second side is generally orthogonal to the first side and is adapted to bubble upward in the second direction.
 15. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the body comprises a general block shape of the resiliently deformable material.
 16. A portable electronic device as in claim 15 wherein the general block shape is generally rectangular.
 17. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the body is substantially solid.
 18. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the body is generally honeycombed with internal pockets.
 19. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the body comprises at least one internal sealed gas filled pocket.
 20. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the body comprises at least one internal sealed liquid filled pocket.
 21. A method of manufacturing a portable electronic device comprising: movably connecting a second housing to a first housing; providing a system for locating the second housing at a closed position on the first housing; and connecting a first resiliently deformable bubble body to the first housing, wherein the bubble body comprises a first section which is adapted to be depressed inward causing a second section of the bubble body to automatically bubble outward to thereby move the second housing in a direction away from the closed position.
 22. A method as in claim 21 wherein connecting the first resiliently deformable bubble body to the first housing comprises locating the first bubble body in a first cavity of the first housing at a first lateral side of the first housing, wherein the first bubble body is exposed at the first lateral side and a top side of the first housing member.
 23. A method as in claim 21 further comprising connecting a second resiliently deformable bubble body to the first housing comprising locating the second bubble body in a second cavity of the first housing at a second lateral side of the first housing, wherein the second bubble body is exposed at the second lateral side and the top side of the first housing member. 